Difference between revisions of "Crystal plate mail"

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'''Crystal plate mail''' is a type of [[armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[glass]] and weighs 450 [[aum]] like other plate armor (i.e., [[plate mail]] and [[bronze plate mail]]).
+
'''Crystal plate mail''' is a type of [[armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[glass]].
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
 +
In addition to random generation, general [[store]]s and armor shops can stock crystal plate mail.
 +
 
A set of crystal plate mail is always generated in one of the niches on the middle floor of [[Vlad's Tower]].
 
A set of crystal plate mail is always generated in one of the niches on the middle floor of [[Vlad's Tower]].
  
High-ranking [[mercenaries]] [[lieutenant]]s, army [[captain]]s and [[watch]] captains – have [[Monster starting inventory|a chance of generating with]] crystal plate mail.
+
[[Mercenaries]] with a target [[AC]] of -1 or better (e.g., [[Yendorian Army]] [[lieutenant]]s) have an effective {{frac|4|25}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|generating with]] crystal plate mail.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|622|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
 
[[Player monster]] [[Barbarian (player monster)|barbarians]], [[Priest (player monster)|priests]] and [[Valkyrie (player monster)|valkyries]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a random body armor with at least 5 base AC instead of [[dragon scale mail]]{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|174|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|215|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|242|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} - that armor has a {{frac|8}} chance of being crystal plate mail, for an effective chance of 6.25%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|156|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/objects.c|407|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=the above cases call the list of armor from plate mail to chain mail in objects.c}}
 
[[Player monster]] [[Barbarian (player monster)|barbarians]], [[Priest (player monster)|priests]] and [[Valkyrie (player monster)|valkyries]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a random body armor with at least 5 base AC instead of [[dragon scale mail]]{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|174|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|215|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|242|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} - that armor has a {{frac|8}} chance of being crystal plate mail, for an effective chance of 6.25%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|156|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/objects.c|407|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=the above cases call the list of armor from plate mail to chain mail in objects.c}}
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
When worn, crystal plate mail provides 7 [[AC]] and [[MC]]2, similar to plate mail. Being made of glass, crystal plate mail does not inhibit [[spellcasting]] and is immune to [[erosion]].
+
While worn, crystal plate mail provides 7 base [[AC]] and [[MC2]], similar to [[plate mail]].
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Crystal plate mail is the second-best armor in the game that does not inhibit spellcasting, after [[dragon scale mail]]. However, it is seldom used in practice primarily due to its weight: roles who would most benefit from it typically lack the [[carrying capacity]] to reliably carry one. Most spellcasters start with low [[strength]], and [[Wizard]]s and other casters that could raise their strength to a sufficient level where this armor would be worth considering will typically either have: A) a means of obtaining dragon scale mail, or B) a low enough [[AC]] that the additional protection is not worth the weight penalty.
+
Crystal plate mail is the second-best armor in the game that does not inhibit [[spellcasting]] after [[dragon scale mail]], and is immune to erosion. However, it is seldom used in practice primarily due to its weight: roles who would most benefit from it typically lack the [[carrying capacity]] to reliably carry one, since most spellcasting-inclined roles start with low [[strength]]. [[Wizard]]s and other casters that could raise their strength to a sufficient level to consider wearing this armor typically have either: A) a means of obtaining dragon scale mail, or B) a low enough [[AC]] that the additional protection is not worth the weight penalty.
  
Characters with high strength will usually prefer a [[dwarvish mithril-coat]] until they obtain dragon scale mail, and even wearing an [[elven mithril-coat]] frees up 300 [[aum]] of weight in the inventory while providing only two fewer points of base AC. Characters who can't afford to use metallic armor will usually prefer a [[studded leather armor]]. Players still willing to try out crystal plate mail will have to be diligent in their inventory management to avoid being burdened too often.
+
Characters with high strength will usually prefer a [[dwarvish mithril-coat]] until they obtain dragon scale mail, and even wearing an [[elven mithril-coat]] frees up 300 [[aum]] of weight in the inventory while providing only two fewer points of base AC. Characters who do not wish to use metallic armor will usually prefer a [[studded leather armor]]. Players still willing to try out crystal plate mail will have to be diligent in their inventory management to avoid being burdened too often.
  
As crystal plate mail is [[fragile]] and easily broken unless worn, be careful when handling it - in particular, beware of using {{spell of|force bolt}}s or a [[wand of striking]] in a shop selling crystal plate mail, since most early characters will not be able to pay off the [[shopkeeper]] if they break any.
+
As crystal plate mail is [[fragile]] and easily broken unless worn, be careful when handling it - in particular, beware of using {{spell of|force bolt}}s or a [[wand of striking]] near a shop selling crystal plate mail, since most early characters will not be able to pay off the [[shopkeeper]] if they break any.
  
 
Of note is that crystal plate mail has a somewhat irregular base price of 820[[zm]], which should be accounted for when checking armor for enchantments via [[price identification]].
 
Of note is that crystal plate mail has a somewhat irregular base price of 820[[zm]], which should be accounted for when checking armor for enchantments via [[price identification]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Crystal plate mail is introduced in [[NetHack 1.3d]].
+
Crystal plate mail first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]].
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
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===dNetHack===
 
===dNetHack===
In [[dNetHack]], there is now crystal armor for each part of the body - crystal armor doubles enchantment bonuses (adding full enchantment to both AC and DR, rather than half to each) and can be enchanted safely to +7, so a fully enchanted crystal plate mail can provide high defense.
+
In [[dNetHack]], crystal plate mail grants 3 AC and 3 [[DR]] while worn, but does not confer magic cancellation, and its weight is reduced to 170 aum. Crystal plate mail can safely be enchanted to +7 and adds its full enchantment as a bonus to both AC and DR, rather than half to each as with other armor - dNetHack also introduces crystal armor for each part of the body, which has the same traits. For [[Samurai]], crystal plate mail is known as '''"jade o-yoroi"'''.
 
 
Crystal plate mail still does not inhibit spellcasting, and its weight is also reduced to a more tolerable 170 aum, but does not provide any magic cancellation. A set can still be found in the same place within [[Vlad the Impaler]]'s dwelling, which is now [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Windowless Tower|the Windowless Tower]].
 
  
For [[Samurai]], crystal plate mail goes by the name "'''jade o-yoroi'''".
+
Crystal plate mail can be found in the second-to-last floor of the [[Windowless Tower]].
  
 
===xNetHack===
 
===xNetHack===
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===EvilHack===
 
===EvilHack===
In [[EvilHack]], crystal plate mail is changed considerably. Its weight is reduced to 150 aum, and its base material is [[gemstone]] instead of glass, making it shatterproof. It is also immune to disintegration and the revamped [[destroy armor (monster spell)|destroy armor]] monster spell, which can now erode armor even if the target has magic resistance.
+
In [[EvilHack]], crystal plate mail is changed considerably: Its weight is reduced to 150 aum, and its base material is [[gemstone]] instead of glass, making it immune to erosion (which includes shattering). It is also immune to disintegration and the revamped [[destroy armor (monster spell)|destroy armor]] monster spell, which can now erode armor even if the target has [[magic resistance]]. EvilHack applies a spellcasting penalty to all roles for any worn body armor similar to [[SLASH'EM]], with crystal plate mail as the sole exception.
  
EvilHack applies a spellcasting penalty to all roles for any worn body armor, with crystal plate mail as the sole exception. Dragon scale mail is replaced with dragon-scaled armor in EvilHack as well - crystal plate mail is among the most enticing armor to merge dragon scales into for casting-focused roles.
+
Dragon scale mail is replaced with dragon-scaled armor in EvilHack as well, and crystal plate mail is among the most enticing armor to merge dragon scales into for casting-focused roles.
  
High-ranking, non-giant soldiers and watchmen have a chance of generating with crystal plate mail as usual. The [[Paladin (monster)|Paladin]], the [[Infidel]] [[quest nemesis]], will always generate with crystal plate mail.
+
High-ranking mercenaries of a [[Racial monster|race]] that can wear body armor have a chance of generating with crystal plate mail as usual. The [[Paladin (monster)|Paladin]], the [[Infidel]] [[quest nemesis]], will always generate with crystal plate mail.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 23:23, 15 March 2024

[   crystal plate mail   Crystal plate mail.png
Appearance crystal plate mail
Slot body armor
AC 7
Special
Base price 820 zm
Weight 450
Material glass

Crystal plate mail is a type of armor that appears in NetHack. It is made of glass.

Generation

In addition to random generation, general stores and armor shops can stock crystal plate mail.

A set of crystal plate mail is always generated in one of the niches on the middle floor of Vlad's Tower.

Mercenaries with a target AC of -1 or better (e.g., Yendorian Army lieutenants) have an effective 425 chance of generating with crystal plate mail.[1]

Player monster barbarians, priests and valkyries have a 12 chance of forcing a random body armor with at least 5 base AC instead of dragon scale mail[2][3][4] - that armor has a 18 chance of being crystal plate mail, for an effective chance of 6.25%.[5][6]

Description

While worn, crystal plate mail provides 7 base AC and MC2, similar to plate mail.

Strategy

Crystal plate mail is the second-best armor in the game that does not inhibit spellcasting after dragon scale mail, and is immune to erosion. However, it is seldom used in practice primarily due to its weight: roles who would most benefit from it typically lack the carrying capacity to reliably carry one, since most spellcasting-inclined roles start with low strength. Wizards and other casters that could raise their strength to a sufficient level to consider wearing this armor typically have either: A) a means of obtaining dragon scale mail, or B) a low enough AC that the additional protection is not worth the weight penalty.

Characters with high strength will usually prefer a dwarvish mithril-coat until they obtain dragon scale mail, and even wearing an elven mithril-coat frees up 300 aum of weight in the inventory while providing only two fewer points of base AC. Characters who do not wish to use metallic armor will usually prefer a studded leather armor. Players still willing to try out crystal plate mail will have to be diligent in their inventory management to avoid being burdened too often.

As crystal plate mail is fragile and easily broken unless worn, be careful when handling it - in particular, beware of using force bolts or a wand of striking near a shop selling crystal plate mail, since most early characters will not be able to pay off the shopkeeper if they break any.

Of note is that crystal plate mail has a somewhat irregular base price of 820zm, which should be accounted for when checking armor for enchantments via price identification.

History

Crystal plate mail first appears in NetHack 1.3d.

Variants

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, Knights get a weight reduction for any body armor heavier than studded leather armor, making crystal plate mail a more feasible option for them in particular.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, crystal plate mail grants 3 AC and 3 DR while worn, but does not confer magic cancellation, and its weight is reduced to 170 aum. Crystal plate mail can safely be enchanted to +7 and adds its full enchantment as a bonus to both AC and DR, rather than half to each as with other armor - dNetHack also introduces crystal armor for each part of the body, which has the same traits. For Samurai, crystal plate mail is known as "jade o-yoroi".

Crystal plate mail can be found in the second-to-last floor of the Windowless Tower.

xNetHack

In xNetHack, while crystal plate mail is not changed directly, armor with glass as its base material can be shatter-proofed through the usual methods of erosion-proofing armor (e.g. reading a scroll of enchant armor while confused). Worn armor is also subject to a 14 weight reduction, making crystal plate mail slightly more viable.

Dragon scale mail is replaced with dragon-scaled armor in xNetHack, significantly changing which armor is viable or even "optimal" for a given character; crystal plate mail is likely to be overlooked in favor of comparable mail with a lighter material, such as bone or mithril, for use with dragon scales.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, crystal plate mail is changed considerably: Its weight is reduced to 150 aum, and its base material is gemstone instead of glass, making it immune to erosion (which includes shattering). It is also immune to disintegration and the revamped destroy armor monster spell, which can now erode armor even if the target has magic resistance. EvilHack applies a spellcasting penalty to all roles for any worn body armor similar to SLASH'EM, with crystal plate mail as the sole exception.

Dragon scale mail is replaced with dragon-scaled armor in EvilHack as well, and crystal plate mail is among the most enticing armor to merge dragon scales into for casting-focused roles.

High-ranking mercenaries of a race that can wear body armor have a chance of generating with crystal plate mail as usual. The Paladin, the Infidel quest nemesis, will always generate with crystal plate mail.

References